In contrast to the tediously self-absorbed German mainstream-rap, which is craving for relevance via casting shows, law suits, good looks, major deals and panda-masks, Zugezogen Maskulin venture into unknown territory: The broadening of the battlefield using weapons such as brains, attitude, hysteria and humor. As their name already implies the two-pack made of rappers Testo and Grim104 is new in Berlin. Their lyrics deal with gentrification, Berlin’s hinterland, 1968-parents, crystal meth, neo-Nazis, hipsters, undercuts and tumblr blogs. Conscious rap? Nope. Social realism, rap for the culture pages? Yes, but. The young men’s unease and anger are urgent yet smart and also musically the witch-house-ish productions catch up with what’s happening far beyond rap.de. Definitely a bright light at the end of a boring German rap-tunnel.

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